Chapter 16: When You're Gone

A Year Later, 6 June

"Kanda…"

That pink-tinted, pouted lips moved painfully slow as a small, playful grin slowly formed on his curved lips.

"Kanda…"

He sang softly, that seductive and melodious voice echoing deep in his ears as he called out his name again and again and again. His tongue slipped out, wetting the corners of his lips as that pair of bewitching silver eyes stared hungrily at him.

"Kanda…"

His hot breaths smoldered his skin as he leaned to him, his hands touching his face gently as he threaded his fingers into his smooth locks of raven hair, holding them to his nose as he inhaled the intoxicating scent which he was heavily addicted to. He smiled, his arms sliding up his back as their bodies were flushed together.

"Kanda…"

His wet and luscious mouth continued to call out his name repeatedly. He reached out, claiming his lips as they started to kiss heatedly, his hands touching and fondling his sensitive nipples as he listened to his delicious moans feeding to his growing desire. That mellow cries gradually escalated to piercing screams when his hand slipped beneath his boxers and began stroking the aching member which was already dripping wet.

"Kanda…"

He rubbed the head of the shaft in extremely slow movements, his fingers feeling his balls as the other mewled wantonly, showing such a lewd and lustful expression. Oh, how he wished he could pound in that small, enticing butt this instant. His hand moved faster, and within seconds, he screamed out his name, releasing on his hand. He licked the remains at his lips as he positioned himself at the entrance.

"Kanda…"

"Moyashi…"

"Kanda-san!"

Sapphire eyes snapped open as he stared at the endless stretch of darkness in front of him. Kanda groaned softly as he slowly sat up, touching his aching forehead as he began to tidy up his hair which was terribly dishevelled when he was sleeping on the table. The raven-haired man then looked up in the most irritated expression as he stared at a brown-haired man who happened to be the company's new employee a week ago. And to his annoyance, he happened to have that same pair of silver eyes which resembled the eyes of a certain beansprout he knew.

"What?" Kanda asked gruffly, taking up the papers on his working desk as he put them into a neat pile. The man jolted slightly as he started stammering some foreign words he could not understand, his eyes darting around the office in nervousness.

"Um…this…"

He totally could not comprehend why this guy who was standing right in front of him had the same height as that beansprout, had the same body-built as that beansprout, had the same eyes as that beansprout, was exactly the same age as that beansprout, and even had the same level of stupidity as that beansprout. No, maybe the beansprout was a little smarter than him. But the ridiculous amount of similarities in this man compared to Allen Walker was enough to piss him off for an infinite period. And…why would he always see a faint shadow of that beansprout in this idiot?

"Kanda…" He could faintly see a smirking Allen Walker mocking at his current torment. Oh, damn that beansprout…

The brown-haired man who was known as Sam stepped forward and handed him a folder in slight hesitation. Kanda frowned slightly at his weird behaviour as he flipped open and began checking his work. He avoided staring at the disturbing sight in front of him as the brown-haired man started biting his lips in a sulking manner―something which reminded him so much of the silver-haired teen. It had only been a year and he was still not getting used of living a solitary life he used to go through.

Kanda let out a long sigh―not because he did not want to scream in frustration but he was simply too tired to raise his voice―as he slammed the documents on the table, before he looked up at him.

"What is this? Must I tell you every single time you meet me that you need to attach your draft together with your work?"

Silver eyes blinked as he looked down at the scattered papers, before they slowly widened in realisation. The raven-haired man breathed sharply, knowing that he must have forgotten that again.

"Must I do something to that stupid head of yours to remember this simple rule? I do not have the fucking time to check your work again and again! This assignment is supposed to be done by yourself, but you are still new here, so I decided to supervise you for the week, and yet you still made this type of mistake again!" Kanda yelled in anger. He could see that the guy was in tears, but there was simply no excuse in what he had done, and he deserved it.

"Do everything again, and hand it to me by evening!" He snapped. The brown-haired man nodded his head and took his assignment, walking out of the room. Kanda stared at the piles of work he needed to do and groaned, ruffling up his hair in slight fatigue and denial. He could hardly sleep in these few weeks due to the deadlines in this month, and he doubted he could even sleep tonight after seeing the horrendous work that the beansprout look-alike had submitted. The only thing that could make him relax and cool his nerves was the postcards that Allen sent him through the year. The raven-haired man took out the latest one which was delivered to him in February. He did not receive anything from then onwards.

He wondered whether Allen was lying to him―that he had forgotten about him and moved on with life. Kanda snorted at the slight dread he was actually feeling for the past few weeks when there was no news of the beansprout for the last four months. He did not see Allen logging into the internet to chat as well. He was certainly pissed, but his pride refused to admit it and he pretended that nothing had happened. He would wait, and if that beansprout sent another postcard or logged into the internet one day, he would berate him sarcastically on how he really missed him so much when he disappeared for weeks. Hah, Allen would surely regret on what he had done.

Several months passed, and soon, June had arrived. Still, he did not receive any news of Allen. Kanda began to think that something might have happened to him. He was about to call him when that irritating redhead sent him an email saying that they were fine and Allen was busy in his school examinations at the moment. He was relieved, though he was slightly horrified that he actually cared for that beansprout in a certain way. Kanda threw his frustrations at the back of his mind as he started to focus on his work. The reminiscence on Allen was gradually forgotten, until that brown-haired man with silver eyes came.

"Moyashi…"

Kanda could not deny that he was missing the warmth that both of them shared during the last night and the comforting feeling when Allen snuggled in his embrace. It was their first time, and frankly, he liked this strange yet soothing sensation when their bodies were flushed together. Most of all, he missed his sweet lips which tasted deliciously like spice and sparked something deep within his soul which only burnt in escalation as their lust grew. And that dream just now almost drove him insane. He was actually thinking of that as he mistook Sam's voice as Allen's! The raven-haired man groaned, wishing that he could kill himself this instant for not controlling his emotions.

Kanda stared at the calendar on the table. It was his birthday today, and he had a feeling that it would be a miserable day, just like his previous birthdays. He let out a sigh, before he resumed in his work.

"What is this? Must I tell you every single time you meet me that you need to attach your draft together with your work?"

Everyone grimaced at the loud snap coming from the room of their leader as he started scolding the new employee for handing up such a sloppy and unsatisfactory work again. It was currently June, the period which the company took up many assignments and projects, and due to the lack of time and the high expectations that they had to reach at the same time, it wasn't surprising that his mood was at his lowest.

"Aah, Kanda-san is yelling at him again. Poor Sam," A man wearing a thick pair of black spectacles said.

"It can't be helped. The senior management is pressuring him for good results and he has to make sure that everything is done perfectly. And Sam really deserves a scolding. I told him many times to submit his draft together with his assignment, but he just wouldn't listen," The young lady in her twenties who was sitting beside him replied, spinning the chair lightly in continuous circles.

"No, maybe he just forgets about it, Lily?" A young man with blonde hair suggested, twisting his pencil between his fingers. She frowned at him.

"It is common sense that a draft should be attached together with the final work," She answered back with a stern look. He just shrugged in reply and continued with his current paperwork.

"Hey, guys." A loud tap was heard, and everyone turned to stare at the red-haired girl who was staring at them in slight displeasure.

"We are supposed to finish our assignments by the end of this week. Shouldn't we concentrate on doing our work?"

"Yeah, yeah, Mandy. You are soooo right," They said in unison and resumed in their work. The door of the room opened and a sullen guy walked out with a depressed look on his face. Mandy peered at the poor guy walking back to his desk and let out a soft sigh. Though she sympathised him slightly, but the last thing that he should do was to get onto Kanda's nerves. He could only blame on his forgetful head for this. She peered at the wooden door, having a sudden urge to go inside and ask whether he was alright. The raven-haired man was surely beyond stressed, having to do his own large projects and seeing through their work as well. She wanted to help him, but he would most likely reject her on the spot.

Mandy peered at the calendar, seeing the date that she had circled two weeks ago. It was the 6th of June today, which was exactly Kanda's birthday. Everyone had already planned on how to celebrate his birthday at the end of the day, but seeing the slow progress that they were in, she doubted that they could even get out of the office by evening. She stared at the digital graphics of her sketches in her computer which was almost finished, letting out a sigh again.

After they returned to Canada, nothing really changed much. Both of them went back to work, and she hardly saw Kanda around in the office as his projects on hand was increasing due to his popularity in the designer world. After his story was published on the magazine, more established clients were asking for him. Business was improving, though it was mostly because of him. If he was around, he would always stay in his room till late at night, rushing through the reports he had to give to the CEO.

She could see that Kanda had changed ever since he returned from London. He was more opened-up in his own feelings and emotions. He talked a little more frequently with his colleagues, and wasn't really pissed as much when female colleagues came to his room and pestered him to eat lunch with them. Even if he was willing to, those ladies did not even have a chance at all.

At that time in the airport when she was sitting with him in the cafe, she saw the photos that he was seeing in his camera, and they were mostly with the silver-haired teen he drew in the sketch. She had never seen him staring intently at each photo of the both of them for so long. The red-haired girl peered at him, seeing a slight hesitant and unwilling look on his face. Was he thinking of him? She felt a little jealous at that, but it wasn't her whom he liked.

When they walked around the airport, spending the remaining time to look around before the departure time, the raven-haired man was mostly in a daze, not focused in what he was doing. She wondered whether he realised that he would always look at the doors of the airport unconsciously, as though he was waiting for someone to come. Was he waiting for that silver-haired teen to come?

When they reached the doors going to the departure halls, his movements were slower, as though he was reluctant of going inside. As she watched him going towards the entrance, she couldn't help but reaching out and stopped him from leaving. She hated him for making such a solemn expression which wasn't himself at all, and she hated herself more for not able to put down her feelings for the raven-haired man who already had someone else in his mind. If he missed him so much, why was he leaving alone?

Why was he thinking of him? Why?

It hurt. Why…not her?

When that person was not with him that day, she nearly thought that she might have a slightest chance. Before she could say something to stop him, she heard a shout from behind.

"I'm not going to let this end just yet, Kanda Yuu!"

Her eyes widened, and as she turned slightly, a shadow whizzed past her as the silver-haired teen ran up to him, kissing him boldly on his lips in front of everyone. She stared at the both of them with wide eyes, completely stunned. She thought that Kanda would pull away in embarrassment, but to her utter shock, the raven-haired man gradually closed his eyes and kissed him back. Their lips moved gently in rhythm, and after a moment, they broke away, leaning closely to each other.

And at that particular moment, she knew she had no chance right at the beginning.

"Mandy!"

"Y-Yeah?" She looked up at the young blonde who had been calling her for a few minutes.

"What are you spacing out for?" He asked. She wondered about that as well.

"It's nothing. What is it?"

"Oh, can you help me look through the list of the clients' particulars while I am finishing up on my work?"

"Oh. Okay," Mandy answered as she took the documents from his hand, flipping through the pages. It had been a year since, and still, that person hadn't come. Was their relationship over?

The door opened and the raven-haired man stepped out, walking out of the office hastily with a brown folder in his hands. She assumed that he was going to fetch his current client who was reaching Canada today to review in their progression. She peered at the clock. It was exactly two in the afternoon.

Mandy stood up, seeing that everyone was doing their work. She walked to the room, opening the door slowly. His desk was unusually neat and tidy despite having so many things to do. She closed the door quietly behind him and looked around. It wasn't her first time coming into his room, but it still felt as though she was visiting here for the first time. She walked around, glancing at the papers which were filed neatly.

Something caught her eye. Looking closely, she pulled out something which turned out to be a postcard, instantly recognising the picture at the front which was the London's Eye, the large Ferris wheel in England. Turning behind, she saw a stamp and a message written on it. It was sent to him around mid-February last year.

Dear Kanda,

Time really passes by so quickly. My final exams are around the corner in March, so I apologise if you are expecting a postcard in January. Well…that is, if you are expecting one from me.

How are you recently? Did you miss me? I bet you are rolling your eyes, saying a 'hell no!' immediately when you see this! But I really miss you. A lot. I even have the urge to throw everything behind and find you immediately, but I'm sure you will not like it. The weather here in London is warmer now, and young grass and plants have sprouted out to welcome the beginning of spring. I do hope that you are still wearing the cross necklace that I gave you. It will really be a waste to put it aside. It really looks great on you!

She remembered that Kanda wore a cross necklace every day. Everyone asked where he got the beautiful accessory from. He said that they were being nosy at his personal affairs, but did he actually know that he would always fondle with the silver cross accessory attached to the necklace unconsciously whenever he was taking a break from work?

Komui has gone to the States for work. Lavi has moved in with us, and you couldn't imagine how close they are now. Komui will be in rage if he finds out, well, you know what that is… The house becomes livelier, which is actually a good thing. At least it can keep me distracted from thinking about stuffs…

Every single day, I have never stopped thinking of you. Thinking of what you will be doing, how your life is in Canada etc. Please think of me sometimes as well. Don't say that I'm ridiculous. I'm slightly worried that you mix around with those girls and forget that you are my lover. I don't care. You are forever mine and mine only. Understand?

I love you, always. Write back, okay? I will be waiting!

Love,

Allen

P.S Please stop calling me Moyashi! My name is Allen!

Mandy slipped the postcard back to the pile of documents where she found it. There must be more of these postcards in the drawer of his working table. They had been contacting each other all these while. She sat down on the chair, letting out a soft sigh as she spun around, staring at the scenery of Canada from the glass panes.

It might not be now, but it was time for her to slowly let it go.

"Dear passengers, we will be landing in Vancouver International Airport within a few minutes. Please return back to your seats and buckle up your seat-belts and ensure that your seats are pulled up to its original positions. Radios and other electronic stuffs should be switched off as well…"

The air stewards were walking around, collecting back the headphones and reminding the passengers to fasten their seat belts in preparation for landing. Silver eyes slowly opened, blinking as he groaned softly at the glaring sunlight shining through the window beside him. He brushed his long, silvery fringe aside and stretched his numb legs, taking out his red-coloured headphones before peering out of the small window as the plane was slowly descending beneath the white clouds, traveling together with the rushing wind.

"Finally…"

Allen let out a smile. It had been a year. Kanda returned to Canada to resume in his work, and he continued with his studies. Life felt a little longer than usual without the presence of the raven-haired man, but they would surely meet again, and with a strong faith in him, he moved on. They communicated with each other through sending postcards and sometimes through live messaging in the computer if Kanda was free.

Time passed by, and soon, it was the beginning of summer. He had finished his university education around mid-March, and was preparing the necessary documents he needed for his permanent stay as a resident in Canada. Lenalee had asked him whether he should reconsider his decision since Canada was far away from London. He would definitely miss her and Lavi and all his friends there, but he had already made his choice when the both of them said their goodbyes at the airport a year ago. They sent him off at the airport, and though they were reluctant, they wished him all the best.

The airplane jerked and plunged slightly due to turbulence. The silver-haired teen unzipped his navy-blue jacket, feeling the soft texture of the silver ribbon which was tied beautifully over a small, red box in his hands. Kanda did not know that he would be arriving in Canada today. It was planned to be a surprise for his birthday, and he was really curious on how the raven-haired man would react when he saw him. His fingers touched the present lightly as he leaned back his seat, counting down the time till he reached.

Loud screeching noises echoed as the wheels of the plane were launched out. The plane took a steep plunge once again, and he could finally see the scenery and the houses clearly. It slowly descended, the blasting roars of its engines bellowing loudly as the plane finally touched down. The silver-haired teen excused himself and went out, reaching for his large canvas bag on the top shelf. Checking that his passport was inside his pocket, he waited for the long queue of passengers to move.

A while later, the queue finally moved and he walked out of the plane, moving to the immigration point of the airport. The queues at the various counters were short, and a few minutes later, he was going to the belt to collect his luggage.

"I'm thankful that you are coming all the way to pick me up. I have just arrived at the airport," A black-haired man in his late forties who was walking beside him was talking in his phone. Beside him, there were others who had already switched on their phones to check for missed calls and messages. Some of them were chatting happily, and he supposed that they were talking to their family and friends who were waiting for their arrival.

"Oh, you have already reached? Great, I will be there soon."

Allen took a trolley and pushed it in front of the moving belt, looking out for his black medium-sized luggage. While waiting, he took out his phone, messaging Lenalee that he had arrived here safely. The silver-haired teen tapped his feet lightly, whistling a merry tune to himself.

He then spotted his luggage after a moment and grabbed it, putting it on the trolley. The black-haired man had taken his belongings and was also moving to the arrival halls together with him. The doors slowly opened, and as he felt a rush of wind blowing directly at his face, he was greeted by a row of people who were waiting for their family and friends. Allen moved away from the crowd, looking at the note he had written which had the place he needed to go to submit his documents.

"Hello. How have you been?"

The black-haired man stopped in front of someone. Allen passed by, his eyes widening slightly as he sniffed a familiar scent of jasmine lingering in the air. Wondering whether he was imagining things, he walked out of the crowd and headed towards the exit.

Kanda rushed into the airport, breathing heavily as he took note of the timings of the flights which would be arriving by then. Seeing the number of the arrival gate he had to report to from the large screen, he sprinted off hurriedly, hoping that he would not be late. There were simply so many assignments on hand that he lost track of time and almost forgot that he had to fetch his client today.

He ran up the escalator, excusing himself from the people walking around as he went to the arrival gate. Many people were already there, and the area was so filled that he couldn't see the entrance very clearly. The raven-haired man frowned slightly, scanning around to look for somewhere to stand. Finding one at a corner, he stood there and took out his phone which had been vibrating for a few seconds. It was his client.

"Hello, Kanda-san. I'm thankful that you are coming all the way to pick me up. Sorry for the delay. I have just arrived at the airport."

"No, it's okay. I have just reached as well, Fujiwara-san," Kanda answered between gasps, cleaning off the sweat from his forehead as he focused on the doors which might be opening any time.

"Oh, you have already reached? Great, I will be there soon."

He ended the call and put his phone into his pocket of his jeans. Kanda gripped on the brown folder tightly in his hands, staring at the doors. A few minutes later, the doors opened and many people streamed out with their baggage in their hands. Sapphire eyes squinted as he looked for a man with black hair wearing a business suit.

"Kanda-san!"

Kanda turned at the voice, seeing the man waving to him as he walked to him. He smiled as he approached his client and shook his hand.

"Welcome to Canada, Fujiwara-san," Kanda said.

"How have you been?" The man asked back with a friendly smile.

"I'm fine. I take you back to your hotel first, and we can meet up later in the evening to discuss on the project?" The black-haired man nodded his head. As he led him out of the crowd, he felt someone walking past him, brushing against his shoulder lightly. Kanda turned around in slight irritation, wondering who he was, but all he saw were hordes of people getting out of the doors instead.

"What's wrong, Kanda-san?"

"No, it's nothing. Let's go, Fujiwara-san," Kanda answered, leading him out of the airport. They walked to the carpark, and as they reached a navy-blue sports car, Kanda stopped, unlocking the doors as he asked the man to go in first. He then put his luggage in the car trunk, taking out his phone which started to vibrate again.

"Hello?"

"It's me, Mandy. There seems to be some missing names in the current list of clients we have, and there are also some errors in the information as well."

"What?" Kanda exclaimed in frustration. Every time when he was busy, something would always happen to oppose him in his way. "I'm bringing Fujiwara back to his hotel first. I will settle this when I get back to the office. Talk to you later." He ended the call and sat down on the driver seat. He closed the door and switched on the engines, before he stepped on the accelerator and went off to his next destination.

It was four-thirty in the afternoon. Allen walked out of the administrative building, making sure that he had collected the necessary documents needed. He walked down a flight of stairs, taking out his phone as he scrolled through the notes he had typed down until he saw a Canadian address. The silver-haired teen walked to the nearest bus stop, peering at the board as it had the information on the buses which would come here.

The sun was hiding behind the heavy clouds hovering lightly in the clear blue sky. He sat down, taking out his shades and wearing it as he waited for the bus to come. Allen took out his camera, snapping down the scenery of its surroundings on his way. The view in Canada was also spectacular compared to London, and he made sure to take lots of photos to post them online such that Lenalee and Lavi could see as well.

The bus came, and he boarded it, tapping the card at the scanner before he walked to the end of the bus and sat at the corner, looking out of the window. The doors closed, and the vehicle gradually moved out to the main road, travelling to its next destination. He closed his eyes, enjoying the cooling feel of the evening breeze brushing on his skin lightly. He hoped that the bus would go faster, such that he would be able to meet up with Kanda quickly.

He missed him so much. He wanted to see him badly.

Allen wondered how much Kanda had changed for the past twelve months. It wasn't a long period of time when he left, and he wasn't sure whether he was waiting for him. His hand reached up, playing with the silver accessory attached at his left ear which he had pierced just a week ago.

"Kanda…" His name lingered at his parted lips.

But that did not matter anymore. He was here, and he was going to see him. The silver strands of his hair fluttered lightly in the air, before they fell on his shoulders as the bus slowed down and turned, entering another district. It gradually stopped at a bus stop, opening its doors as people started coming in. The doors closed after the passengers sat down, and the bus began to move once again. It passed by countless streets and buildings, and Allen took a few snapshots before it entered an expressway.

He recalled the memories they had, wondering how long the both of them walked in their lives before they finally reached each other. It was really a long way, from the time he fell in love with Kanda when he was still an Exorcist till now. So many years had gone by, and their romance was not obtained rather easily. They had gone through many obstacles, having many misunderstandings and heartbreaking moments before they finally realised their feelings for each other.

Now, was it going to be forever?

After about an hour of the journey, Allen pressed the bell and stood up, walking to the exit doors. As the bus stopped and opened its doors, he alighted at the road side, peering at the road signs around the district area. He walked over to the traffic junction, stopping at the front as he waited for the pedestrian traffic light to turn green.

He remembered that night when they were walking back to the hotel. He was contemplating whether he should cross the road, and wished that the traffic system would malfunction such that Kanda would continue to stay at his side. It was his last day, and he was not sure what he should do. Kanda's feelings were confirmed, but it did not mean that he would stay behind for him. Now that he thought about it, Allen wondered whether letting him go was the right decision. Now, would Kanda be thinking of him? Would he…be waiting for his return?

The cars stopped, and the traffic light for the pedestrians turned green. Allen took a step forward, making his way across the junction to the other end of the road. He continued to walk along the small pavement entering a larger district, taking note of the surroundings to make sure that he did not miss the final place he was heading.

The silver-haired teen passed by a small shop which was selling snacks, and as his nose caught its aroma, his stomach growled in response. Allen walked up and bought some food, before he continued on his way, munching the food to fill up his stomach. He adjusted his cap loosely on his head and took a right turn at the corner of the street. He stopped for a moment, taking pictures on the way. More buildings were in sight, and after walking for a few distances, he saw a glass building at the front which was where he was going.

After a few minutes, Allen stopped right at the front of an office building. He stared at the yellow note he was holding to see whether he had come to the right place. As he stared at the entrance, a smile gradually appeared on his face.

"I'm finally here…at Kanda's workplace," Allen murmured softly. He really had to thank Tiedoll for giving him such important information before he left. The silver-haired teen pushed the glass door and stepped into the main lobby of the building. He was about to go to the nearest washroom when he felt a bump at his shoulder and stumbled in his steps slightly.

"I'm sorry…!"

He turned, his eyes slowly widening at the familiar red-haired girl who was always with Kanda when they were in London. Her eyes also went wide in shock at seeing him.

"You…Allen?" She asked, pointing at him.

"Yes. How…did you know my name?" Allen asked in bewilderment. From what he could remember, he was sure he did not tell her his name before.

"Are you here to find Kanda?"

It was rather awkward to start a conversation with her after what had happened among the three of them in London. Allen nodded his head slowly, not certain what he should say to her.

"Follow me." He was slightly stunned by her smile. She beckoned him to follow her, and he walked with her as they entered the lift. The doors closed and the lift ascended swiftly. The two of them were silent, standing at opposite corners as they stared elsewhere but each other.

"I thought you will not be coming."

Allen turned and stared at her in slight astonishment. He then averted his gaze at the black-coloured marble floor with shimmering silver glitters on the stone tiles of the floor.

"We made a promise," He replied softly.

She stared at him in silence.

"And I have not told him that I would be here! It is supposed to be a surprise. You know that it is his birthday today right?" He smiled at her. Her eyes widened at his words, and she somehow understood why Kanda liked him. After she returned to Canada and met up with him, the raven-haired man told her about the time when he met Allen and how the two of them always bickered and fought whenever they met each other. They did not see things eye to eye, and none of them knew that it would turn out to be like this, but it just…happened.

The lift stopped and the doors opened. They stepped into a narrow corridor, and after a few seconds of walking, they stopped in front of a glass door leading to their office. Mandy pushed it and went in, holding the door in place to let Allen in. He thanked her as he entered, looking around the place in slight awe. She closed the door quietly and followed him behind, watching his silhouette in silence.

"This is where…Kanda works?" He let out a soft gasp.

"Kanda is not around at the moment. He will be back soon," She replied. Allen nodded his head, continuing to walk around as he explored the office.

"Mandy, I'm so glad that you are back! There is something which I need to ask…" The blonde stopped as he stared at the silver-haired teen who noticed his gaze and turned to him.

"You…?"

"He is Allen Walker, a friend of Kanda's," Mandy said.

"What a…beautiful friend Kanda got…" He said with a light chuckle as they shook hands, staring at him intensely―or rather, too intensely―with a curious gaze. Allen flushed slightly in embarrassment at his sudden compliment.

"Ken…" Mandy frowned at his friend's behaviour.

"I have never seen such enticing silver eyes and a person with silver hair, Mandy!" Ken exclaimed with a wide grin. Allen prayed that this friend of hers would not pull him to meet the others, but unfortunately, he was really pulled to where the others were sitting. The auburn-haired girl groaned softly as she touched her aching forehead, following them behind to where they usually sat. Allen squirmed in slight discomfort as they surrounded him, inspecting him from head to toe.

"He is Allen, Kanda's friend! Everyone, please welcome him!" Ken announced loudly, clapping his hands.

"I didn't know that Kanda has friends outside!"

"So your name is Allen?"

"Nice to meet you! Is this your first time in Canada?"

"You're rather pretty for a guy. Do you mind being my boyfriend?" The last comment frightened him slightly. Allen stared at the woman with light-brown curls in slight shock as she walked closer to him, sending him several heated gazes with her sparkly golden eyes. He swallowed nervously and stepped back in reaction.

"Lily!" Everyone shouted in unison, glaring at her. She laughed softly and apologised.

"Don't mind about us, Allen. It's just that we are surprised that Kanda would have a friend like you," Ken said, patting on his shoulders gently. Allen smiled back, and he just watched them talking among themselves, laughing and chuckling along the way. They introduced their lives to him―how they worked here, how Kanda snapped at them whenever they made mistakes and so on. For the next thirty minutes, he had learnt a lot of things regarding to Kanda who had been working in this company for the last three years.

"Kanda has zero sense in socialising! Surprisingly, he can do it with his clients, but when it comes to us, it just turns out weird and awkward!"

"Yeah, he would always make a blunder out of it, but he just does not want to admit it."

Allen laughed. It was really something that Kanda would do.

"For a good-looking guy like him, he claims that he isn't seeing anyone at the moment. We thought that it is definitely a lie, so all the female colleagues here have tried to seduce him and catch his attention, but Kanda just wouldn't budge," Lily said with a defeated sigh, and the others nodded their heads in agreement. Silver eyes widened slightly, and he started to imagine the possible scenarios in his head. Allen frowned in slight displeasure. So that baKanda had some level of popularity in this office? Just how many women had come to his office and seduce him with their looks? The silver-haired teen let out a soft snort. He was not going to admit that he was jealous over this matter.

"I wish he can just look at me for just a few seconds!" Lily grumbled lightly.

"Even if he looks at you, it is impossible for you to be his girlfriend," Mandy answered coolly, joining them a few minutes later.

"Why?" She exclaimed loudly, indignant at her direct answer.

"He may not have someone in mind in the past, but…now he does."

There was silence for a few seconds.

"What!"

"Who is it, Mandy?"

"Tell us!"

Everyone screamed out in shock and disbelief. Allen stared at her in silence, noticing the slight hesitant tone in her voice. Mandy ignored their whines as she stood up, gesturing him to follow her. He nodded his head and stood up as well, walking with her to the door of a room. She reached out and opened, and as the silver-haired teen slowly stepped inside, silver eyes slowly widened at what he saw. He turned back, staring at her with an appalled expression on his face.

"This is his room. I will be outside if you need me." Mandy walked out, closing the door quietly behind her.

From the moment he entered here, that familiar jasmine scent which was always on that raven-haired man's body rushed up to him instantly. He could feel the same type of nostalgia he had when he was with Kanda, and this nostalgic feeling was present in this room. Allen breathed in deeply, taking slow steps forward as he looked around, capturing everything that belonged to him with his own eyes. His camera was on the table, and the brown sling bag which he carried when they went out on the last day before he left was hanging loosely at his black chair. His fingers slowly trailed along the smooth surface of his working table, peering closely at his documents lying around and the same stationary which he took when he was in London.

He saw something in between the piles of papers. Allen pulled it out carefully, his eyes widening at the familiar postcard that he sent him. He flipped it behind, seeing the short note that he wrote. He then noticed a drawer which was slightly opened. His hand reached down, and as he opened, he saw more of his postcards inside a box. Silver eyes widened as he just stared, not expecting that Kanda would still be keeping them so neatly. Allen smiled, putting the last postcard in his hand, before he closed the drawer lightly.

Allen slowly sat down on the seat, taking up the camera gingerly as he switched it on. The screen flickered, and his eyes widened at the first photo which appeared. It was a picture of the both of them taken at the park where they skated on the ice lake. He scrolled through more of their photos from the folder. The silver-haired teen leaned back, reminiscing on that day, and the activities that they did together.

In a blink of an eye, six years had passed by.

He turned the chair around, facing the glass panes showing the beautiful view of the city. Allen let out a soft yawn, feeling exhausted after a long journey. He wanted to wait for Kanda, but his eyes refused to listen to him. As the heavy eyelids began to close on their own, his head continue to replay the particular memory when Kanda's hands calloused his face as he leaned in and kissed him warmly on his lips.

He was beyond tired when he got back to his office. Kanda groaned softly as he wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead. This client was slightly talkative, and he was getting a little irritated at their conversation which did not seem to end, but he did not say anything and maintained his calm composure, talking with him with a smile on his face. This went on, and by the time the conversation really ended, it was already half-past five in the evening.

The raven-haired man jabbed on the lift button hardly, leaning against the wall as the doors closed and the lift began to ascend to the 20th floor. There were so much administrative work needed to be done when he returned, and he still had to meet that talkative client at eight to discuss on the project they were working on. Kanda sighed, resting his arm on the metal railing as he stared at the number on the screen above. His colleagues were likely to organise a party for him at a bar later, but he doubted that he even had the time to celebrate his birthday.

The lift gradually slowed down and stopped, before it opened the doors. Kanda stepped out, turning left as he walked along the corridor, before he turned right, opening the door with a push as he walked into the office. Everyone was absorbed in the work they were doing, not noticing that he had returned. He went over to Mandy's desk, tapping lightly to get her attention.

"Give me the list."

She nodded and handed him the paper. Kanda glanced through the names and information stated inside, frowning as he spotted mistakes which needed to be edited and missing information which needed to be filled in.

"I will give it to you later," He said, and as the raven-haired man was about to walk back to his room, something grabbed his arm and stopped him. Kanda turned back and stared at her.

"What?"

She wanted to tell him that Allen had returned, and he was now in his room, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out.

"No, it's nothing."

Kanda raised his eyebrow. Mandy looked away, not wanting to see his changed expression when he heard his name from her. She did not want to hear the rushed footsteps to his room, the crash of the door opening, and soft whispers of the both of them talking to each other closely before they kissed. Although it would eventually happen, she did not want to know.

He turned and walked to his room, twisting the doorknob as he opened the door. Kanda stepped inside, feeling slightly strange. It was his room, but somehow, something wasn't right here. He put down the paper on the table, noticing a leg stretching out from his chair. The raven-haired man frowned, wondering who this woman now was, pestering him again and again just for a stupid date. Kanda walked towards his chair in large strides, and as his hand reached out in an attempt to spin it around and find out the culprit, he stopped.

Soft snores were heard, and it was most likely that he or she was currently asleep, but this was not what he was concerned about. He caught a light yet extreme familiar scent which could only be found on that particular person he knew. The raven-haired man thought that he was imagining things, but when he saw strands of silver hair protruding out of the chair, he wished that he really was not hallucinating―that there might be a slight chance that he had finally returned to his side.

Kanda walked forward, reaching out to the chair as he slowly turned it around.

Sapphire eyes slowly widened in shock.

"Moyashi…"

Allen groaned, his eyes slowly opening after realising that he had dozed off. The silver-haired teen blinked for a moment, shifting his aching body which was tilted to the side of the chair he was sitting on for too long. He yawned and stretched himself, feeling slightly refreshed after a few minutes' of napping. The silver-haired teen smiled and was about to put the camera back on the table when he realised that someone was here. He looked up, his smile faltering immediately as his eyes widened at the person he saw.

"Kanda…"

The raven-haired man he saw now had changed a little. His hair and fringe were longer, and he looked thinner than before. But other than that, his beautiful features and stunning eyes were still the same―enough to take his entire breath away.

"Why…" Kanda started to speak, completely stunned at his sudden appearance. He knew that the beansprout would eventually come here to see him, yet he could not conceal the appalled expression showing on his face, that he was really here, standing right in front of him this instant.

Allen smiled and let out a light chuckle.

"Too shocked to see me?" He asked, raising his eyebrow in slight amusement.

The raven-haired man reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him into his arms roughly as he captured his lips in a searing, needy kiss. Allen gasped softly in slight surprise, feeling his arm tightening around his waist as his wet tongue slipped inside his mouth. Their tongues began tackling each other fiercely in a heated battle, both of them not willing to give in. Kanda continued to ravish his swollen lips again and again, reliving the pleasure they once had. The silver-haired teen inhaled deeply, kissing him back passionately as he wrapped his arms around his shoulders, yearning for his burning heat which had once lit his entire soul into flames.

Seconds later, they slowly pulled away, breathing heavily. Silver eyes fluttered open, gazing at his sapphire eyes which were staring at him. He smiled, wrapping his arms around his shoulders as he pulled him close.

"I miss you," Allen murmured softly. "I miss you so much."

"I told you not to let me wait for too long," Kanda hissed lightly, breathing in his sweet scent which he had been depriving for months.

Allen laughed softly in reply as he looked up. "Aren't I here now?"

"You should be punished," Kanda snapped softly, threading his silver strands with his fingers. Allen raised an eyebrow in slight curiosity and amusement.

"Oh, how are you going to do that?"

"What do you think, Moyashi?" He asked with a smirk.

"It's Allen!" The silver-haired teen grumbled with a pout. The raven-haired man then felt something pressing at his chest. He looked down, his eyes widening at the present in his hands.

"Happy 23rd birthday, and…" Allen reached up and kissed him.

"I'm home, Kanda."

A/N: Are you guys fooled? This is NOT the ending yet! There are one more chapter and an epilogue left. Thank you so much for the reviews and loves! And NO, the previous chapter isn't the ending yet!

I wasn't really sure whether Canada's international airport is Vancouver International Airport. I found it from the internet and I decided to use it, so if it isn't, sorry about that!

The words in italics are the lyrics for the song 'When You're Gone' sung by Avril Lavigne. This song gave me a lot of inspirations for this chapter, thus I decide to use it here.

Please review! Everything is appreciated! And sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes!

~SingingBlues

New A/N: The song lyrics are deleted, but I still want to let you readers know that this chapter is inspired by this song 'When You're Gone' sung by Avril Lavigne. Thanks for reading once again!

SingingBlues